Physicians are reporting a significant rise in "health-anxiety," a term describing their unease with the healthcare industry, according to a new study. However, this internal concern has not eroded the trust they share with their patients, with an overwhelming 97% of doctors believing their patients rely on their expertise.
The study, commissioned by PatientPoint and conducted by Talker Research, surveyed 1,000 U.S. physicians. It found that 63% of respondents indicated an increase in their anxieties about the healthcare industry over the past year. Despite this, their confidence in the patient-provider relationship remains robust.
Physicians identified several key challenges impacting their daily practice. The most cited issues include time constraints, reported by 72% of respondents, followed closely by the burdens of electronic health record (EHR) documentation (70%), prior authorization requirements (65%), high patient volume (57%), and staffing shortages (57%).
While physicians feel trusted, they also observe a trend of patients seeking health information elsewhere before consulting them. A significant majority of physicians, 77%, believe patients often turn to search engines, while 65% noted social media as a common source, and 52% pointed to friends. Only 51% felt patients consistently turned to healthcare providers and specialists first.
The study also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence in healthcare information consumption. Nearly two-thirds (68%) of physicians reported that patients have discussed AI-sourced health information with them, and 48% of doctors consider AI-generated health information to be "somewhat trustworthy."
In response to these shifts, many physicians are integrating technology into their practices. Sixty-two percent of practices utilize AI-enabled tools or platforms for care delivery and operations, including telehealth services (67%), AI-powered documentation tools (64%), and digital intake systems (64%). Physicians anticipate that AI could offer tailored diagnoses and treatment plans, a benefit cited by two in three. However, a notable concern persists, with 64% of physicians worried that AI might diminish the personal aspect of healthcare.
Kyle Barich, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at PatientPoint, commented on these findings, stating, "Patients today have more ways than ever to access health information, but physicians remain at the center of how patients make sense of it. What these findings reinforce is that technology can be a powerful tool to support better care, but it can’t replace the trust and human connection between a patient and their physician. The opportunity is to use technology to strengthen that relationship, not compete with it."
Beyond the direct patient relationship, physicians expressed broader concerns about the healthcare industry. Eighty-one percent of physicians have observed a shift in patients' attitudes towards the healthcare system, with 55% characterizing this shift as negative and 26% as positive. A significant 69% believe patients have become more anxious about the cost of care over the past five years.
Key pain points for physicians in the past year included dealing with health misinformation (44%), navigating insurance policies (37%), insurance limitations on medication coverage (30%), staffing shortages (30%), and managing increased patient volumes (23%).
Despite these pressures, 67% of physicians believe that a modern, digitally forward healthcare practice enhances the patient experience. This sentiment is echoed, to a lesser extent, by patients themselves, with 43% reporting increased anxiety about healthcare in the past year, largely driven by costs. However, like physicians, patients maintain strong trust in their providers, with 84% trusting their doctors and the information they provide.
Overall, 76% of physicians believe technology improves the patient experience, compared to 49% of patients. Both groups, however, agree that technological advancements should not compromise the essential human connection in healthcare.
"Physicians are navigating significant pressures, from time constraints and administrative burdens to changing patient expectations," Barich added. "What stands out is that, even amid these challenges, physicians remain confident in the care they provide and open to technology that can help them work more efficiently and improve the patient experience. Tech can be used to support physicians while preserving the trusted, human connection at the center of care."
The study surveyed 1,000 U.S. physicians between March 10 and March 23, 2026.